Environmentalists are criticizing Gov. Scott Walker's budget for making steep cuts in personnel in a science and research bureau at the Department of Natural Resources.

The employees include scientists and others with master's and doctoral degrees who perform research for the DNR on environmental regulation and wildlife management policy.

Walker's budget would cut 18.4 positions in the Bureau of Scientific Services.

The bureau has a total of 59.4 budgeted positions, although 9.4 are currently vacant. That would a 31% cut in total budgeted positions and a reduction of nearly 20% of the positions now filled in the bureau.

All told, Walker's budget would cut 66 positions from the DNR. Of this, more than 25% would come from the science group.

Environmentalists questioned whether scientists at the agency were coming under attack for research that has sometimes provoked criticism. But a northern Wisconsin lawmaker who has been critical of some DNR research agreed with Walker's plan.

"This is a terrible idea," said Amber Meyer Smith, director of programs and government relations for Clean Wisconsin, a Madison-based environmental group.

"Any real natural resources protection is based on sound science. The more science you remove from the process, the more politics you add."

Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) said he supports overhauling the bureau.

"I think some of our game management is not being served well by science services," Tiffany said.

Walker unveiled his budget on Tuesday night. The proposal on researchers appeared to catch the agency by surprise and officials provided few details on how they would carry out their scientific mission.

In a statement, DNR spokesman Bill Cosh said the "governor's proposal is asking the department to more closely align research to the priorities of the department's divisions."

Cosh said the DNR will continue to conduct its own research and use specialists from universities.

"We will still have scientists and will still use science in our work," Cosh said.

But former DNR Secretary George Meyer was not optimistic.

"This is really a major loss," said Meyer, who is executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. "This is the guts of natural resource management."

The bureau's work ranges from estimating whitetail deer populations to the study of old-growth forests.

Meyer Smith said she saw a parallel between the cuts at the DNR and the Walker's $300 million in budget reductions for the University of Wisconsin System. In both, intellectual work appears to be seen as suspect, she said.

"Basically, everything we care about clean water and clean air is driven by science," she said.

Records shows that some of the DNR's current research includes a study of bobcat populations in central Wisconsin, the relationship between deer hunting habits and chronic wasting disease and studies issues related to climate change.

The 97-page report didn't pass judgment on the proposed $1.5 billion mine proposed by Gogebic Taconite. The agency will eventually have to approve any plan for a mine.

But researchers offered the DNR's strongest critical analysis an iron ore mine could have on a watershed that empties into Lake Superior.

A Gogebic official attacked the report, saying it was premature and strayed from science to advocacy. But Jack Sullivan, director of the bureau, said when the report was released it helped lay the groundwork for the DNR's oversight role.

Meyer questioned whether the bureau, which has a reputation for independence, is being punished for its work on topics like mining, climate change and deer populations.

Meyer said scientists have told him they are worried that if their jobs are not eliminated, they will be shuttled to another part of the DNR where their research work will be stopped or limited.

Tiffany said he thought the researchers played a role in reducing the harvest quotas of bobcats.

He also said the bureau has focused too much on climate change. (Under Walker, the DNR has given little attention to the issue.)

"I do have a real problem with them putting so much emphasis on that and making recommendations for changes in policies based on something that's theoretical," Tiffany said.

He said he does not believe there is broad agreement among climate scientists that the planet is warming, and, if it is, that it's caused by humans.

About Lee Bergquist

Lee Bergquist covers environmental issues and is author of "Second Wind: The Rise of the Ageless Athlete."

About Patrick Marley

Patrick Marley covers state government and state politics. He is the author, with Journal Sentinel reporter Jason Stein, of "More Than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin.”